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Mobile app helps amputee better use prosthetic

The i-limb works with an app that gives users quick access to common grips.

2:27 / 2 April 2018

Transcript

Ten years ago in a spot not far from here Jason Koger's ATV struck a downed powerline.
He took 7200 volts of electricity and doctors had to amputate his arms below the elbow.
You know, the first thoughts that probably went through mind was, I got three kids now.
But at the time I only had two.
I had a 21 month old and a 3 month old little girl.
And I didn't know if I'd ever be able to feed myself or put my own clothes on or do anything that I think people take for granted.
I mean, I did too.
Koger uses prosthetics called I Limbs made by Touch Bionics.
The fingers are made of titanium and the I Limb was the first hand on the market with a motor in each finger.
He has two but changes them out with other prosthetics including body powered hooks depending on what he's doing.
After a lot of work, [UNKNOWN] relearned how to do everyday tasks like getting dressed, and playing with his kids at their home in Owensboro, Kentucky.
He can even crack an egg and open a can of soda.
[BLANK_AUDIO]
Aside from the sensors and the prosthetics that help him control the islands, there's a mobile app for iOS.
With the app, he can preprogram common grips.
He might want to easily access.
So as soon as she hits that, hit it again.
[SOUND]
It automatically goes into a mouse grip.
So this would be to hold [SOUND]
a computer.
And when I close, and then when if you look See, just the first finger moves.
So that would be your clicker on your mouse pad.
He can also use the app to run a healthy check on the hand and send the data to his prosthetist in Texas.
Or he can look at a graph that shows him how he's using the hand in real time.
Touch Bionics has also hadded Apple Watch compatibility.
And everybody asks what I can do with this.
I can do everything.
Except for three things.
I can't cook, clean or change dirty diapers.
And that's just cuz I couldn't do it before when I had real hands.
So this hand literally allows me to do anything.
Koger says he is not sure if we'll ever totally replace
A persons real hands but nylons come pretty close.